The Utah Jazz will be sellers at the trade deadline, and Jimmy Butler wants out of Miami. Could these two subplots be intertwined? It's definitely possible, though it would be downright comical to think that Butler's drama would end him being traded to Utah.
Trade ideas have floated Butler as a trade target for the Jazz, but everyone knows he wouldn't want to go there and he would likely get in the way of Utah's plans, so there'd be no reason for them to bother chasing him. It's safe to say that neither side would want each other.
However, because of how sticky this situation has become between Butler and Miami, the Jazz could see this as their opportunity to sell off some of their trade candidates to the highest bidder.
NBA Insider Marc Stein reported that teams have reached out to Miami, saying they would be happy not so much to acquire Butler but to help facilitate a trade for him.
"My pal Doug Smith of The Toronto Star wrote earlier this week that the Raptors are volunteering to participate in an eventual Butler trade as a third- or fourth-team facilitator that doesn't land Butler but takes part in the transaction.
"When I relayed that to one well-placed source, I was told that 'about half the league' has made similar feelings known to the Heat as they try to concoct a trade that brings this saga to an end."
Stein also confirmed that the one team that Butler wants to play for is Phoenix, which, to be fair, has been known for some time, but the problem is that Miami doesn't want Bradley Beal. So this could very well turn into a massive blockbuster trade if and when the Butler drama gets resolved.
How the Jazz could get involved in a Butler trade
If the Jazz don't want Butler, they certainly wouldn't want Beal, for that matter, and not just because he doesn't fit their timeline. His contract is terrible, so acquiring it would ruin their cap flexibility. Maybe they could entertain that if he came with draft capital, but the Suns are fresh out of those, so it's not happening.
That's not to say no one would want Beal, period, because Stein reported that Milwaukee is focused on him as their next trade target. It's fair to say that this could be a major multi-team deal when it's all said and done, and the Jazz just might get in on it. They won't get Butler or Beal from it, but that may not stop them from getting involved regardless.
But why would they? Because of the opportunity to trade some of their players like Collin Sexton and John Collins while also getting some draft capital out of it. They would serve as matching salaries, and the Jazz could add to their treasure chest of first-round picks.
Now, the odds of the Jazz getting cap relief in this scenario are unlikely. They'd likely get worse players on potentially worse contracts (just not as bad as Beal's), but they may be okay with getting the draft capital that comes with them.
In a way, the Jazz could be the key to a deal because they could take the bad contracts (not Beal) to make this all work, as long as the players involved don't interfere with their tanking. The Butler trade could be one of the biggest multi-team trades ever made before the deadline.
If Utah has the chance to aid their tank while adding more draft capital, and getting involved in a Butler deal is the best way to do it, there'd be little reason for them to pass.